Jeanette raised an eyebrow while her gazeran over Alexandra in an attempt to find some insolence or incorrectness inAlexandra’s tone.
Archie’s chest burst with pride.His dove was perfect!
“A pretty speech, Miss Dunforth.”Jeanette turned to Archie, her face relaxing into affection. "Howare you this evening, my beloved cousin? I am so thrilled that you arehere with me on this important occasion. I could not imagine celebratingwithout you.” She kissed him on both cheeks, making sure everyonesaw. Everyone.
****
Sutton watched the scene beforehim. Archie and Jeanette fawning over each other made him slightlyill. The memory of that long ago day, of what he’d witnessed, had dimmedwith time, but it was clear enough. His gaze ran to Alexandra. Shelooked pale and delicate in a diaphanous gray gown. Demure.Quiet. Sutton frowned. Quite unlike his Badger. Though shewasn’t his at all, it seemed. Sutton considered killing Archieimmediately. The man certainly deserved it. Sutton clutched the stem ofhis wineglass so tightly he thought it would break. He could use the brokenstem to stab Archie. His murderous daydreams were interrupted by ascolding voice.
“Your gaze will drill holes throughher.” The Dowager stomped her cane, as she leaned in next to him.
“Jeanette? I wouldn’t do that toher guests. Evil would spill out of her as if she were a sieve, crashingdown in a flood infecting her guests.”
“Tsk. Obtuse as always. I wasspeaking of Miss Dunforth.” The Dowager pointed with the end of her caneas Alexandra dipped low to pay homage to Jeanette.
“Why would I stare at Archie’sbetrothed? I’ve no interest in the girl other than she is a friend ofMiranda’s and should know better than to marry Archie Runyon.”
“Posh! You are deliberately tryingto irritate me, Sutton. Your interest in her is marked and remarked upon,”the Dowager stated mysteriously.
“Really? She is a spinster fromHampshire and a bit long in the tooth. She is engaged to a man I considerthe vilest human being in the world. Why would I give a fig for MissDunforth?”
“I should hit you with my cane. Itmay knock some sense into you. I have paraded every eligible virgin ofthetonbefore you. I have looked the other way at your scandalousbehavior with the multitude of women who seem to be enamored of yourlooks.” The Dowager pointed her cane at Jeanette Reynolds. “I havetolerated your lack of ability to dispose of her out of some misbegotten senseof responsibility and duty to your sisters and the reputation of Cambourne. Orperhaps you still seek her love.”
Sutton shot his grandmother a disgustedlook. “That boy is dead.”
“I miss him. He was sweet andscholarly. I failed him.” Her gray head dipped.
Exasperated, Sutton touched her hand. “Rainha,please.” He gave her an imploring look. “Get to the point.”
“The point? You want Miss Dunforth.”
Sutton sucked in his breath. “Sheis betrothed to Archie. Nothing short of ruination can break abetrothal. Whether I want Miss Dunforth or not is inconsequential.”
The Dowager peered at him in acalculating manner. “Just so.”
What was his grandmother up to?
“I will see you in a bit,Rainha.I need something stronger if I am to tolerate this evening.” He kissedher withered cheek and passed the wine glass to a servant collecting emptyglasses. Sutton turned and headed into the depths of Gray Covington insearch of some good French brandy. Anything to ease the sight of theBadger on Archie’s arm.
******
Mr. Runyon erupted into shrill gales oflaughter as Lady Reynolds whispered into his ear. Two identical stares oficy blue pierced Alexandra and she had the distinct impression the laughter wasat her expense. She didn’t care. She wanted nothing more thanto drink a cup of Tilda’s tea, get away from this teeming mass of people, andsit in the dark and quiet. Odious Oliver disappeared immediately aftergreeting Lady Reynolds, no doubt en route to the gaming tables. Alexandrawondered if her uncle would return without his cufflinks. She wondered ifany Dunforth money still existed.
“Sit here, dear one. I am going toplay cards.” Mr. Runyon’s silken words interrupted her thoughts. Hefirmly deposited her on a divan situated in a dim alcove.
Two giant potted ferns flanked the divan,no doubt her only companions for this evening.
“Alexandra?” Mr. Runyon snapped herfingers before her nose.
Why didn’t he just go away? Sheperformed to his expectations. He’d paraded her about the room and she’dcurtsied to his beloved cousin. She wanted to be left alone, tonurse her wounds and perhaps get a glance of Sutton.
“Yes. I shall sit just here.”Alexandra nodded as crowd swirled about her.
He frowned, putting deep creases in hisforehead. Did her obedience delight or irritate him? She thought it thelatter. She didn’t care.
“Hmm.” He stroked the ends of hismustache. Alexandra noted that his hair curled a bit farther on the right side.. Why had she never noticed the bald spot?
“See that youdo. Sithere. I shall return in time for our announcement. After we enjoyeveryone’s good wishes, you and I will be the first into the midnight buffet,directly behind Lady Reynolds. We are to be seated next to her. Ihope you appreciate the honor my cousin bestows upon us.”
